There were long delays on the M25 this morning after more protests from Just Stop Oil.

Demonstrators again climbed onto the overhead gantries along the motorway, including one near the Dartford Tunnel.

The M25 anticlockwise was blocked, with severe delays for motorists between J1a A206 (Dartford Tunnel) and J31 A1306 (Lakeside/Purfleet).

At around 8.30am all lanes were re-opened, however there were still hold ups around the Dartford Tunnel.

At 7am, around 16 Just Stop Oil protesters climbed onto the overhead gantries of the M25 in multiple locations, both clockwise and anti-clockwise causing police to stop traffic.

This is part of their campaign demanding that the government halts all new oil and gas licences.

Protesters also scaled gantries near the M1 junction.

Today's demonstration follows on from yesterday's chaos, where 15 supporters climbed gantries along the M25 and disrupted traffic for more than three hours.

Charlotte Kirin, a social worker, carer and parent from Bury St. Edmunds, filmed herself sitting above traffic during the protests this morning.

The 53-year-old said: “In order to survive, we need to take action to stop new oil and gas.

"For as long as the government pretends this isn’t the priority, I will do what I can to demand a response.

"History shows us that we have to challenge unjust laws. What is being done to people all over the globe in the name of profit is the greatest imaginable injustice.

"I will not turn my back on people whose lives are being destroyed for rich mens’ profit.”

Police have made 16 arrests.

In a linked development Essex Police have today charged three people with intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance following yesterday's protests.

Joseph Linheart, 20, of Crouch End, London; and Rosemary Jackson, 24, and Luke Elson, 29, both of Maryland, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Assistant Commissioner at the Met Police, Matt Twist, said: “The Met, in a joint operation with neighbouring police forces, has again responded swiftly and robustly to today’s attempts by Just Stop Oil activists to disrupt the M25.

“We are all absolutely committed to providing a quick and effective response to those activists who continue to significantly disrupt people’s daily lives.

“Operations like these come at a cost. Since the start of October we have used more than 11,000 officer shifts to police Just Stop Oil protests. These are officers who would otherwise be dealing with issues that matter to local communities such as knife crime, safeguarding and responding to burglaries.

“We are determined to bring to justice all those who conspire to cause significant and unreasonable disruption to London and the motorway network and we'll work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts to make sure this happens.”

'We are determined to bring to justice all those who conspire to cause significant and unreasonable disruption to London and the motorway network'

Just Stop Oil have confirmed that the protests and disruption are not over yet.

In a statement on their website, it reads: "This is not a one day event, expect us every day and anywhere.

"This is an act of resistance against a criminal government and their genocidal death project.

"Our supporters will be returning – today, tomorrow and the next day – and the next day after that – and every day until our demand is met: no new oil and gas in the UK."

Today’s action follows four weeks of daily disruption and civil resistance by Just Stop Oil demonstrators, during which the police have made over 700 arrests, including 25 yesterday.

Since the protests began at the beginning of April, Just Stop Oil supporters have been arrested over 2,000 times, with five currently in prison.

The statement goes on to say: "We will not be intimidated by changes to the law, we will not be stopped by private injunctions sought to silence peaceful people.

"Our supporters understand that these are irrelevant when set against mass starvation, slaughter, the loss of our rights, freedoms and communities."

At 11.30am the main carriageway of the M25 was closed again at J30 A13 (Lakeside/Purfleet) but it was not linked to Just Stop Oil.

Congestion stretches back to J29 (Upminster) and drivers are being diverted via the slip roads.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Our officers are currently responding to an incident on the M25 at junction 30 just ahead of the QEII Bridge.

"Traffic approaching Junction 30 will be directed around the scene using the Junction 30 off slip, however there are severe delays.

"We remain at the scene and will update you as soon as we can."